Garment hanger

ABSTRACT

A garment hanger of the coat hanger type comprising a wire formed into a triangular body having a hook extending upwardly from the apex of the triangle. The hanger disclosed herein is designed to be formed by machine without twisting so as to minimize the amount of wire needed without sacrificing strength and rigidity. The hanger is characterized by a length of wire, preferably continuous, bent into triangular shape with an elongated medial run extending across the full width of the hanger to form the stretcher of the triangular body. Side elements of the wire converge from the ends of the stretcher toward the apex of the body and terminate in connecting pieces, one of which nests neatly within the other, all within the same plane. The piece remote from the stretcher run extends outwardly to constitute the hook of the hanger. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting pieces are U-shaped and the bases of the nesting pieces are fastened into abutting relation throughout their length by a clip in the form of a split sleeve. In a modified embodiment, the bases of the U-shaped connecting pieces are united in abutting relation along their length by welding or the like.

United States Patent Baer 1 1 GARMENT HANGER [76] Inventor: John S.Baer, Schooner Head, Bay

Harbor, Maine 04609 [22] Filed: Oct. 24, 1974 [21] Appl. No; 517,650

2,493,131 1/1950 Gogol 1 l 223/91 2,503,844 4/1950 Rotheraine 1 1 t l 1223/91 2,873,898 2/1959 Englund 223/88 Primary ExaminerGeorge H.Krizmanich Attorney, Agent, or FirmDorfman, Herrell and Skillman [57]ABSTRACT A garment hanger of the coat hanger type comprising Dec. 16,1975 a wire formed into a triangular body having a hook extendingupwardly from the apex of the triangle. The hanger disclosed herein isdesigned to be formed by machine without twisting so as to minimize theamount of wire needed without sacrificing strength and rigidity Thehanger is characterized by a length of wire, preferably continuous, bentinto triangular shape with an elongated medial run extending across thefull width of the hanger to form the stretcher of the triangular body.Side elements of the wire converge from the ends of the stretcher towardthe apex of the body and terminate in connecting pieces, one of whichnests neatly within the other, all within the same plane. The pieceremote from the stretcher run extends outwardly to constitute the hookof the hanger In the preferred embodiment, the connecting pieces areU-shaped and the bases of the nesting pieces are fastened into abuttingrelation throughout their length by a clip in the form of a splitsleeve. In a modified embodiment, the bases of the U-shaped connectingpieces are united in abutting relation along their length by welding orthe like 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,926,351

GARMENT HANGER The present invention relates to garment hangers andparticuiarly relates to coat hangers formed from wire in the generalconfiguration of a triangle having a hangerhook at the apex thereof.

The wire coat hanger manufactured in the greatest quantity todayconsists of a one-piece structure having the wire formed into agenerally triangular outline and having the hook connected to the apexof the triangle by a shank. The wires from the side elements of thetriangle are twisted together along the shank. To reduce the danger ofsnagging the clothing on the free ends of the wire portions, the rawends may be coated or sheathed or inserted within tubular elements. Withthe conventional construction, these protective operations must beperformed after the wire is formed and assembled into its finalconfiguration. It has been found that the conventional hanger entailssubstantial waste,

not only in the use of additional length of wire to provide a firminterconnection by twisting, but also in the losses in manufacturingwhich arise due to the breakage of the wire during twisting Such wasteentails an increase in the manufacturing cost which affects the unitcost of each hanger. Attempts to conserve wire by using a wire of asmaller gauge or thickness have re sulted in hangers of considerablyless strength which become distorted beyond use in normal handling openations. Since wire coat hangers are purchased by dry cleaningestablishments for a single use within the es tablishment, a smallreduction in the per unit cost entails a considerable saving in annualoperating costs of the establishment.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention provides a coat hangerwhich utilizes less wire than the conventional hanger and yet isstronger and more dura bie. The present invention provides a hangerwhich not only has a pleasing appearance but also positions the raw endsof the wire so as to avoid snagging the cloth ing placed on the garmenthanger. The form of the hanger, which eliminates crossovers of the wireforming the body of the hanger, facilitates stacking and storing of thehangers inasmuch as the body wire of the hanger is coplanar throughout.

The invention also provides a hanger which is formed by simple bendingoperations {without twisting) which minimizes loss during the formingoperation and may also permit prepainting of the wire prior to forming.The invention also contemplates a novel method of forming a hanger whichentails simple bending operations to form the hanger and a singlefastening operation to complete the assembly. The fastening operationmay consist of welding or wrapping around a clamping sleeve, either ofwhich is performed in a Zone of the assembled hanger which provides arelatively straight run for reception of the clamping sleeve or theweld.

All of the objects of the invention are more fuily set forth hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a face view ofa hanger made in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the hanger shown in FIG. 1more clearly iilustrating the construction of the hanger;

FIG. 3 is a transverse scc tional view taken on the line 33 of H6. 2 atan enlarged scale;

MG. 4 is a view similar to FIG 2 of a modified embodiment of the hangermade in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 ofFiG. 4 and illustrating schematically a method for completing theassembly of the hanger of Flt}. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrating a furthermodified embodiment of the hanger made in accordance with the presentinvention,

Referring to FIG, 1, the hanger 14 illustrated therein comprises asingle length of wire forming both the triangular body ofthc hanger l4and the hook element. The wire is formed into a circular bight or loop15 which terminates at one side in a raw end 15a and at the other sidein a suspension run 16. The run 16, as shown in FIG. 2, merges intoconnecting piece having a generally U-shapcd form with laterally-spacedlegs 17 and 15% and an intermediate base I). At the side of the pieceremote from the suspension run 16, the leg 18 merges into a side element22 which diverges outwardly. forming one side of the triangular bodyportion and terminating at the outer end of a stretcher run 23 formingthe bottom ot the triangular body portion. The other end of thestretcher run 23 merges into an opposite side eienient 24 whichterminates at its upper extremity in a connecting piece of generallyU-shaped form adapted to nest with the other connecting piece andhaving, as shown in FIG. 3, laterally-spaced legs 25 and 2a with anintermediate base 27. As shown in FIG. 2, the leg 26 has a free end 26awhich is positioned intermediate the leg I8 and the side piece 22.

The connecting pieces at the apex of the triangular body portion nestwithin each other so that the base 19 abuts flush against the base 27along the length thereof. The base 1) may be considered a portion of theexterior connecting piece and the base 27 may be considercd a portion ofthe interior connecting piece. Preferably all of the components of thehanger 14 are coplanar. The base portions 19 and 27 are parallel to oneanother and are preferably generally parallel to the stretcher run 23and serve to connect the side runs 22 and 24 to each other at the apexof the trianguiar body to complete the body.

in this embodiment of the invention, the nesting connecting pieces areunited in flush abutting relation by a clip in the form of a splitsleeve 31 having sidewalls 32 and 33 which bear tangentially against thecoplanar base portions 19 and 27 (see FIG. 3). The top wall 34 ofthesleeve 31, in the present instance, is continuous and bears against theexposed side of the base portion 19 in the exterior connecting piece andthe bottom wall of the sieeve 31 is split lengthwise to form inturnedtoes 35,35 which engage under the exposed underside of the base portion27 of the interior connecting piece. In this fashion the toes 35cooperate with the endwall 34 to maintain the base portions 19 and 27 inparallel adjacent relationship along the length thereof, preventingiatcrai separation of the connecting pieces in the vertical directionwithin the plane defined by the wires. W'hen clamped together in thisfashion, the legs of the nested connecting pieces prevent relativelongitudinal displacement of the connecting pieces in a directionaxially of the sleeve 31. The sidewalls 32 and 33 engage flush againstthe sides of the nesting connecting pieces not only to prevent bodilytransverse separation of the pieces out of the plane of the hanger wirebut also to resist distortion of the connecting pieces by torsional 3forces, for example created by twisting the loop and its suspension run16 either about a vertical axis within a plane of the hanger wire orabout a horizontal axis generally coincident with the axis of the sleeve31.

Furthermore in this embodiment of the invention, the loop has a centerof curvature designated at 36 which is disposed on the verticalcenterline 37 of the hanger. The vertical centerline 37 of the hangercoincides with the perpendicular bisector of the axis of the sleeve 31and the bisector of the apex of the triangular body, so that the hangertends to hang straight when suspended on a rod or other support. Itshould be noted that an additional degree of stability is provided tothe hanging hanger by reason of the angular traverse of the suspensionrun 16 transversely across the centerline 37 intermediate the hook 15and the exterior connecting piece leg 17.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, each of the bases 19 and 27 has a straightportion between the legs about which the sleeve 31 is clamped. Theendwall 34 and the toes 35 of the straight tubular sleeve 31 preferablyengage flush against the straight portions throughout the length of theclip and endwise displacement of the sleeve relative to the nested basesis resisted not only by the clamping actions of the toes against thebase portion, but also by the legs of the connecting pieces at eitherend of the sleeve.

This embodiment of the invention is especially adapted for fabricationand assembly by machine in an automated fashion. To this end, the bendsand curves imparted to the wire may be performed by machine eithersimultaneously or in sequence. In the method of fabricating the hanger,the wire is bent to the desired triangular body portion of the hangerincluding the connecting pieces. The pieces are then brought intocoplanar nesting relationship and are fastened together in paralleladjacent relationship, preferably so as to abut the bases 19 and 27flush against one another along their length. While maintained innesting coplanar relation in the preferred embodiment, the clampingsleeve is applied and clamped upon the base portions so that they areprevented from lateral separation in the plane of the hanger by thecooperative action of the endwall 34 and the toes 35. During thefabrication, the suspension run 16 and the hook 15 are also formed,either concurrently with the triangular body or separately.

The clamping sleeve may be a decorative element if desired since thewire may be prefinished by coating or other surface treatment prior toforming it into the triangular body and thus the hanger may be ready foruse at the completion of the clamping operation without the need forfurther finishing procedures, bearing in mind that the raw ends 15a and26a of the wire are positioned to avoid engagement with the garments tobe placed on the hanger.

It may be desirable to fasten the connecting pieces together in theircoplanar nested relationship by means other than a surrounding tubularsleeve, as shown at 31 in FIG. 2. Depending upon the machinecapabilities, the connecting pieces may be united by soldering, brazingor cementing. A preferred alternative is to unite the pieces by weldingthem, as shown in FIG. 4. To this end the wire forming the hanger isformed identically to that shown in FIG. 1 including a hanger bight 115,a suspension run 1 16, and exterior connecting piece with legs 117 and118 spanned by a base run 119. A side piece 122 extends from the leg 118and a complementary sidepiece 124 terminates in a nesting interiorconnecting piece having legs and 126 with an intermediate base run 127.As shown in FIG. 4, the base runs 119 and 127 are welded together asindicated at 131. A welding operation is preferred since it may beperformed by spot welding apparatus as illustrated diagrammatically inFIG. 5 wherein the welding apparatus includes clamping jaws 134 andwhich not only apply the welding potential to the wire portions 119 and127 but also serve to clamp the portions into flush abutment throughouttheir length. This spot welding operation is enhanced by reason of thestraight character of the base portions 119 and 127 so that a strong andrigid connection is provided. Since a precoating of the wire mightinterfere with the efficient welding operation and may preclude flushengagement of the wire portions, in this embodiment of the invention itis preferred to coat the wire following the welding operation, if it isdesired to have a coating on the wire. On the other hand, if it isdesired to incorporate bare wire into the hanger, no further treatmentis necessary, although it may be desired to cover the weld by adecorative sheath or wrap.

A further modification is shown in FIG. 6 wherein the bends and curvesin the wire are less severe than those in the wire of the hangers inFIGS. 2 and 4. To this end the wire of the hanger in FIG. 6 starts at anend 44 and is formed into a bight or loop 45 which merges into asuspension run 46. At the opposite end of the suspension run 46, anexterior connecting piece is provided having legs 47 and 48interconnected by a curved base 49. The leg 48 continues into asidepiece 52 which corresponds to the sidepiece 22 of the embodiment ofFIG. 1. The complementary sidepiece 54 from the other end of thestretcher run terminates in an interior connecting piece having legs 55and 56 extending upwardly from the intermediate curved base 57. Theconnecting pieces nest one within the other as shown so that the curvedbased portions 49 and 57 are disposed in parallel adjacent relationship,in this case, like the previous embodiment, engaging flush against oneanother throughout their lengths. A straight connecting sleeve 61 isprovided to engage around the bases 49 and 57 in a manner similar to theway in which the sleeve 31 engages around the bases 19 and 27. In thisembodiment of the invention, the vertical centerline of the hanger isshown at 67 and the center of curvature of the bight 45 is positioned onthe vertical centerline as indicated at 66. The sleeve 61 is alsopositioned on the centerline 67 as shown so that the perpendicularbisector of the sleeve axis coincides with the centerline 67.

The curved bases 49 and 57 preferably have a common center of curvature68 which coincides with the vertical centerline 67 as shown. In order toinsure a firm clamping action between the curved base portions 49 and57, the radius of curvature should be preferably at least three timesthe axial length of the sleeve 61 as indicated by the designations 3Xand X respectively in FIG. 6. As the radius of curvature increases, theconfiguration of the connecting pieces approaches the configuration ofthe connecting pieces shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In the illustratedembodiments, the base portions of the connecting pieces, whether they beslightly arcuate as shown in FIG. 6 or perfectly straight as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, are disposed substantially parallel to the stretcher runof the triangular body of the hanger at the apex of the side elements.In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 6, the sleeve is split alongthe interior endwall thereof as indicated at 35,35 in H6. 3. Of course,the split may be positioned on the exterior endwall, or one of the sidewalls as deisred. The embodiment of FIG. 6 has many of the functionaland operational advantages of the embodiments shown respectively inFIGS. 2 and 4, and may be preferred in order to accommodate theformation of the hanger to certain machine operations available to themanufacturer.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been hereinillustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the invention tosuch disclosures but changes and modifications may be made therein andthereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A garment hanger composed of a single continuous-length rigid wire ofuniform cross-section formed into a generally triangular body portionwith suspension means extending outwardly from the apex of the triangle,the triangle having side element converging toward the apex and having astretcher run extending between the remote ends of said side elements,the improvement wherein said side elements are formed from the wire,each side element terminating at the apex in a U-shaped connecting piecehaving a pair of spaced-apart legs interconnected by an intermediatebase portion, the connecting pieces of the two side elements nesting onewithin the other at the apex of the triangular body portion with thebase portions thereof disposed flush against one another in a line alongthe length thereof, said connecting portions being all coplanar withsaid side elements and positioned in nesting relation withoutcrossovers, said base portions when in nested relation serving tocomplete the triangular body intermediate the side elements, theconnecting piece more remote from the stretcher run being on theexterior side of the body, and the other connecting piece being on theinterior side of the body, the wire at the far end of said exteriorconnecting piece opposite its associated side element being formed intoan open suspension hook projecting from the triangular body portionwithin the plane of said body portion, the wire at the far end of theinterior connecting piece terminating closely adjacent the side elementassociated with the exterior connecting piece, and uniting meanspositioned intermediate said spaced-apart legs uniting said baseportions in nested relation along the length thereof to prevent lateralor transverse separation of the connecting pieces.

2. A gannent hanger according to claim 1 wherein the base portions ofsaid connecting piecess are straight and disposed parallel to thestretcher run on the centerline of the hanger so that the centerlinecoincides with the perpendicular bisector of the base portions, saidsuspension hook having a curved portion with a center of curvature alsocoinciding with the centerline of the hanger.

3. A garment hanger according to claim 2 wherein said hook is connectedto said exterior connecting piece by a suspension run of said wire, saidhook and suspension run being coplanar with said triangular bodyportion, said suspension run being straight and disposed to traversesaid centerline of the hanger at an angle.

4. A garment hanger according to claim 1 wherein said uniting meansconsist of a separate fastening element clamping the base portions insaid flush abutting relation along the length thereof intermediate thelegs of the connecting pieces.

5. A garment hanger according to claim 4 wherein said fastening elementcomprises a straight tubular sleeve having an axial split therealong,said sleeve bearing' against said base portions to anchor the sameagainst relative displacement out of the plane of the hanger body aswell as displacement within the plane of the hanger body, the legs ofthe nested U-shaped pieces cooperating with the ends of said sleeve toprevent relative longitudinal displacement of said pieces axially ofsaid tubular sleeve.

6. A garment hanger according to claim 5 wherein said sleeve hassidewalls bearing against the sides of the base portions of bothconnecting pieces and endwalls respectively bearing against the exposedinterior and exterior surfaces of the bases, the split of said sleevebeing positioned in one of said endwalls to provide complementary toeportions said toe portions cooperating with the other of said endwallsto clampingly engage said base portions together.

7. A garment hanger according to claim 1 wherein said uniting meanscomprises a welded connection along the line of flush abutment of thebase portions of said connecting pieces.

8. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein said base portions are straightthroughout the length of said uniting means.

9. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein said base portions have acurvature with a radius at three times the length of the uniting means.

1. A garment hanger composed of a single continuous-length rigid wire ofuniform cross-section formed into a generally triangular body portionwith suspension means extending outwardly from the apex of the triangle,the triangle having side element converging toward the apex and having astretcher run extending between the remote ends of said side elements,the improvement wherein said side elements are formed from the wire,each side element terminating at the apex in a U-shaped connecting piecehaving a pair of spaced-apart legs interconnected by an intermediatebase portion, the connecting pieces of the two side elements nesting onewithin the other at the apex of the triangular body portion with thebase portions thereof disposed flush against one another in a line alongthe length thereof, said connecting portions being all coplanar withsaid side elements and positioned in nesting relation withoutcrossovers, said base portions when in nested relation serving tocomplete the triangular body intermediate the side elements, theconnecting piece more remote from the stretcher run being on theexterior side of the body, and the other connecting piece being on theinterior side of the body, the wire at the far end of said exteriorconnecting piece opposite its associated side element being formed intoan open suspension hook projecting from the triangular body portionwithin the plane of said body portion, the wire at the far end of theinterior connecting piece terminating closely adjacent the side elementassociated with the exterior connecting piece, and uniting meanspositioned intermediate said spaced-apart legs uniting said baseportions in nested relation along the length thereof to prevent lateralor transverse separation of the connecting pieces.
 2. A garment hangeraccording to claim 1 wherein the base portions of said connectingpiecess are straight and disposed parallel to the stretcher run on thecenterline of the hanger so that the centerline coincides with theperpendicular bisector of the base portions, said suspension hook havinga curved portion with a center of curvature also coinciding with thecenterline of the hanger.
 3. A garment hanger according to claim 2wherein said hook is connected to said exterior connecting piece by asuspension run of said wire, said hook and suspension run being coplanarwith said triangular body portion, said suspension run being straightand disposed to traverse said centerline of the hanger at an angle.
 4. Agarment hanger according to claim 1 wherein said uniting means consistof a separate fastening element clamping the base portions in said flushabutting relation along the length thereof intermediate the legs of theconnecting pieces.
 5. A garment hanger according to claim 4 wherein saidfastening element comprises a straight tubular sleeve having an axialsplit therealong, said sleeve bearing against said base portions toanchor the same against relative displacement out of the plane of thehanger body as well as displacement within the plane of the hanger body,the legs of the nested U-shaped pieces cooperating with the ends of saidsleeve to prevent relative longitudinal displacement of said piecesaxially of said tubular sleeve.
 6. A garment hanger according to claim 5wherein said sleeve has sidewalls bearing against the sides of the baseportions of both connecting pieces and endwalls respectively bearingagainst the exposed interior and exterior surfaces of the bases, thesplit of said sleeve being positioned in one of said endwAlls to providecomplementary toe portions said toe portions cooperating with the otherof said endwalls to clampingly engage said base portions together.
 7. Agarment hanger according to claim 1 wherein said uniting means comprisesa welded connection along the line of flush abutment of the baseportions of said connecting pieces.
 8. A hanger according to claim 1wherein said base portions are straight throughout the length of saiduniting means.
 9. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein said baseportions have a curvature with a radius at three times the length of theuniting means.